prairie chicken

American  

[prair-ee chik-uhn] / ˈprɛər i ˌtʃɪk ən /

noun

1. either of two North American gallinaceous birds of western prairies, Tympanuchus cupido greater prairie chicken, or T. pallidicinctus lesser prairie chicken, having brown, black, white, and rufous plumage: both species, once abundant, have diminished greatly in number and are classified as vulnerable.

2. sharp-tailed grouse.

---

prairie chicken British  

noun

1. either of two mottled brown-and-white grouse, Tympanuchus cupido or T. pallidicinctus, of North America

---

Etymology

Origin of prairie chicken

An Americanism dating back to 1685–95

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

prairie chicken

Laura Parker, a lawyer for the center, said it can be hard for people to understand why a tiny lizard, or rare mussel species, or the lesser prairie chicken are worth preserving.

From Salon ● Jul. 15, 2026

The lesser prairie chicken, which has declined by more than 90%, is the only grassland bird federally listed as endangered, in part of its range.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 25, 2023

Clay Nichols, the lesser prairie chicken coordinator with the U.S.

From New York Times ● Nov. 17, 2022

This behavior is observed in several bird species including the sage grouse and the prairie chicken.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

There was the prairie chicken with a late brood of half-grown clumsy clucking chicks amply able to take care of themselves, but still clinging to the old mother's care.

From The Story of the Trapper by Laut, A. C.